Tristan White off the couch and heading for Glasgow

As the Kookaburras swept to an emphatic World Cup triumph, Commonwealth Games hopeful Tristan White kept training in Perth.

Wollongong's Tristan White was not at the recent World Cup but is going to the Commonwealth Games.

HOCKEY

As the Kookaburras swept to an emphatic World Cup triumph, Commonwealth Games hopeful Tristan White kept training in Perth.

He watched Australia's games on television while in Wollongong for a break.

And then wondered if the chance to feature at Glasgow had passed him by as a dominant Australia romped to another big tournament victory.

"Having spoken to the coaches post World Cup ... they said I was really close and quite unlucky not to make it," said White, who along with Albion Park's World Cup-winning star Kieran Govers will make their Commonwealth Games debuts after being named in the Kookaburras squad on Tuesday.

"All indications from them were to keep plugging away, keep my head up and look to the Commonwealth Games as my goal. I was surprised [to be selected], but I kind of thought if I'm going to get a shot this is going to be it."

And perhaps the real tale of the Kookaburras squad is who wasn't included rather than who was. There was no Jamie Dwyer. No Liam de Young. No Glenn Turner.

Head coaches Graham Reid and Paul Gaudoin, who have taken over from Ric Charlesworth following his sudden exit after the World Cup, have opted for their own changing of the guard on the pitch.

The Commonwealth Games favourites will feature nine players in the 16-man squad who will be appearing in their first Commonwealth Games.

"I suppose it's hard coming off such a large tournament like the World Cup ... it's a little bit more relaxed, but all the processes and everything that Ric has put into place will be carried on by the other coaches," White said.

"My role in the team over the last couple of years has been more of a utility player and playing different positions in the team I'm not usually comfortable with.

"I think at the moment there's going to be a new transition into the future and I want to try to cement my spot in either the midfield or defence.

"I don't really care where I play, I just want to get some solid time in either of the spots and cement myself as one of the players that needs to be picked all the time in one position."

Albion Park's Casey Eastham was given the nod to compete in her second Commonwealth Games as part of the Hockeyroos squad, which will be looking for gold after their World Cup final defeat earlier this month.